Semifinalists decided at Copa Guga Kuerten

MATCH REPORT

Photo: Tommy Hindley / Professional SportRafael Medeiros (BRA)

The men’s and women’s singles semifinalists were decided on the second day of the Copa Guga Kuerten, part of the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour, with Zilmar Pires completing an all-Brazilian line-up for the last four in the men singles after making a stirring comeback in his quarterfinal in Florianopolis.

Pires could manage just one game in the first of his quarterfinal against Argentina’s Mario Garcia, but went on to dominate the second set before completing a 16 61 75 victory.

Pires will face second seed Carlo Santos in the semifinals after Santos also beat an Argentinean opponent when eased to a 61 60 win over Jose Castricini.

Both quarterfinals in the top half of the men’s draw were won in two close sets, with top seed Rafael Medeiros beating Jader Casar 64 63 and Christophe Royet securing a 63 64 victory against Colombia’s Fabio Padilla.

With top seed Rejane Candida having a bye into the women’s singles semifinals, Brazil’s Marisa Ferreira and Chile’s Macarena Cabrillana both drop just two games apiece in booking heir semifinal berths after victories over Esther Duarte and Chile’s Maria Paz respectively.

Candida plays Ferreira for a place in the women’s final, while Cabrillana takes on Santana.